Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants. I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
Exodus 33:1-3, 7, 12-15 NIV
REFLECTION
So it stands in man’s reason that when God said, “Off you go” Moses could have very easily started down the road, but he didn’t. Thankfully, Moses had learned that the provision, power, and protection of God only comes when you are walking with God. You can only walk by faith and not sight when God is on your left and your right, surrounding you, guiding you, clearing and broadening the path providing the light the cloud that cooled their desert walk by day and the fire that kept them warm by night.
His presence was literally the light to their path, and they only moved when and where the light moved. Moses learned what we all need to know before we go anywhere or attempt anything, to pray: God, I can only do for You that which is in You, from You, through You and WITH You.
I believe that God’s promise to never leave us of forsake us is one of, if not THE, most powerful promises He gives as we were made for relationship with Him. We see the world looking for love, approval, acceptance, applause, affection in people, positions, possessions, physical lust or accomplishments, and no matter what they do, own, or win it does not fill or fulfill them. Without God, life is empty – you see it in their eyes, you hear them trying to convince themselves otherwise as they boast about this and that, but the Spirit gives you the discernment to hear the dull thud of their heartbeat and the clanging cymbals as they rave because they have not love… real love. They rant and rave because they are not saved.
Moses knew the trip out of Egypt would be in vain and he would probably have gone insane if God did not go on the journey with them.
This is a vital life lesson in every season, stage, opportunity, and responsibility in life. If you plan to go-it alone, on your own, you are better off staying at home. Nothing good happens when we run off on our own strength, and leaning on our own understanding will leave us undone, not in a place of “well done good and faithful…”
How We Can Pray
As we reflect on our focused months of prayer for Education in August, Business and Workplace in September, and we step into prayer for Pastors and the Church in October, let’s pause in prayer with humility and dependency in Christ alone and thank Him for always being with us and committing our days and destiny to staying on His path and in His presence.
We must ask Him as we rise and shine to go with us to school, and the workplace, as we put on the uniform to go to the frontlines and the sidelines, step up to the mic to speak our lines, preach, teach, govern, plant, invent, judge, respond, and as we return lovingly back into homes and all that we do with our friends and family. Invite Him, respond to His presence, and refuse to move without Him.
Will you pray with me right now?
Lord, You are our light and our salvation, our security, satisfaction, and source in all things. You have blessed us with education, experience, discipline, and Your devotion to us and respond to Your great gifts by casting them at Your feet and giving our all back to You. You are the Vine and we are the branches and so we cannot do anything apart from You, but remain in You and with You our Shield and strength. We commit to obey You, to do the good works You have prepared for us to do knowing we do them for Your glory. Our lives will worship You as we walk in You, for You, through You, because of You, and WITH You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, Amen!
